Fight: Inside the Wildest Battle for the White House

Kamala Harris’s team of aides and confidantes started to build a strategy for gaining the presidential nomination, but they made sure to purposefully excuse Harris from meetings. Harris could not be seen to drag her feet if she was nominated, but she also could not be caught “red-handed in grabbing for his job” (141).

Biden, still recovering, finally came to terms with the fact that he would not become president a second time. He still believed he could beat Trump, but stated “I just can’t fight Democrats and Republicans at the same time” (148). Along with First Lady Jill Biden, he let JOD and other close aides know that he was dropping out. JOD broke down in tears, and Jill comforted her.

Harris received a call from Biden the same day he decided to drop out, July 22nd, 2024. Harris told him not to let himself be pushed out and to leave the race only if he was sure. He affirmed that it was the right call. Biden, however, wanted his selflessness to take center stage for at least a couple days before endorsing Harris. Harris, baffled by this choice, pointed out that it indicated a lack of confidence in her and allowed too much time for chaos to take root.